Archives: Speakers

Jim Palma is the Executive Director of TargetCancer Foundation. Since joining TargetCancer Foundation in 2010, Jim has overseen its growth from a small start-up to a nationally recognized foundation supporting comprehensive rare cancer research programs and patient support services. Prior to joining TargetCancer Foundation, he spent eleven years at Fidelity Investments in Boston, MA. Jim is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), and is a founding Co-Chair of the NORD Rare Cancers Coalition. In addition, Jim is a Steering Committee member at the GI Cancers Alliance and the Global Cholangiocarcinoma Alliance. Jim completed studies at the Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership at the Questrom School of Business at Boston University, and received his B.A. from Loyola University Maryland.

Giovanni was born in Naples, Italy. While studying Medicine, he volunteered on projects for the poor, sick and lepers in Italy, Albania, India. He was a subinvestigator on 4 oncology clinical trials during his Clinical Oncology in Milan since 2001; moved to Philadelphia, PA, USA in 2005 where enrolled in a PhD program in Genetic Oncology, performing in vitro and in vivo gene therapy studies in cancer models. In 2007 he moved to Boston to lead cancer drug development programs in small biotech companies; at ArQule he led lab research, clinical development and medical affairs and brought 7 molecules to Ph1-3 clinical development. In 2017 he joined Sanofi, where as VP and Head of Oncology Early Development he oversaw development of over 20 clinical experimental drugs, as many preclinical, through teams of ~300 people, besides helping with Business Development and Investor Relations. In addition, Giovanni consulted for a couple of dozen companies and VC funds, scientific societies, and Governments. In 2008 Giovanni founded the nonprofit Professionisti Italiani a Boston, which has hosted 100+ cultural and networking events; in 2014 he founded Scuola PIB, a nonprofit Italian Saturday school with over 170 pupils in 2025

Cory Burke is the Executive Director Head of Biometrics and Data Management at Black Diamond Therapeutics. Cory has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry in both CRO and Sponsor side. She has worked in many aspects of data management, database programming and SAS programming in the industry. She works collaboratively with Clinical Operations, Medical, Translational Medicine and many other cross functional teams. She has worked on a wide range of therapeutic areas (Oncology, Dermatology, Cardiology, Gastrologic,etc) from Phase I-IV.